Bill Barker, aka Thomas Jefferson, will go into character to reflect on writing the Declaration of Independence.

The event will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday at Elon University. It will be held at McCrary Theater.

Barker has portrayed Jefferson for more than 30 years, roughly divided between 10 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, followed by 20 at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.

He has always had an affinity for Jefferson, said Barker, who grew up near Philadelphia. He sees no special resemblance between him and Jefferson. But having studied both history and theater in college, he was receptive when someone suggested that would be a good role for him.

“The two just kind of married together,” he said.

Barker believes Jefferson is among the American presidents people connect with easily — both through his many talents and his failing.

He was an architect whose creations include his home, Monticello; the Virginia State Capitol and the rotunda at the University of Virginia, which he founded. His political writings include one of the world’s most famous phrases — “all men are created equal” — with that equality non-negotiable, a result of coming from God. Jefferson’s political achievements include two terms as president.

Attempting to reconcile that with his private practice relating to slavery is difficult.

Barker is 60; Jefferson was in his first term as president at that age.

“I try to affect the way he looked at about my age,” he said.

Barker has North Carolina connections: “My father was a North Carolina farm boy,” he said, growing up between Oxford and Henderson.